Page 227 of My Best Friend's Dad

“Are you feeling better? I’ve got to head into the firehouse,” Alex said. “I just don’t want to leave without knowing you’re okay.”

“I’ll be fine,” I said. “Thanks, though.”

Alex nodded. He grinned and kissed me. “I love you,” he said. “Call me if anything comes up, okay?”

I nodded. “I will.”

Alex kissed me once more, then left. I lay in bed and listened to the sound of his footsteps fading on the walk outside. As soon as he was gone, I missed him. I wanted him back – I wanted to wrap my arms around him and never let go. Stop it, Molly, I told myself. You’re getting obsessed, and that’s not a good thing. You can’t be so clingy, you’ll completely drive him away.

With a sigh, I flopped back against the pillows and closed my eyes. I was exhausted, and honestly, I didn’t feel like going into the living room just in case Rebecca was home. I had no idea how I was going to confront her! Was I supposed to just ask her to come out and spill the truth? Or what?

I yawned and snuggled deeper in the covers. I’ll just sleep for a little while, I thought. And when I wake up, maybe I’ll have a better idea of what to do.

Hours later, I woke up. I sat up in bed and rubbed my eyes, yawning. I felt groggy and dehydrated. It was dark outside – my phone told me that it was after nine-thirty, well into Alex’s shift at the firehouse.

I decided to get up and make myself a late dinner. Pulling my robe on over my clothes, I put my hair up in a sloppy bun and walked out to the kitchen. To my shock, Rebecca was sitting at the table with a bowl of pasta.

“Hi, Molly,” Rebecca said. “How are you?”

I bit my lip and sat down. “Not great,” I said. “I need to talk to you.”

“Oh, I’m sorry,” Rebecca said. “Are things with Alex not going well?” I frowned – she almost looked happy as she asked.

“No, they’re good,” I said. “He brought me by the firehouse earlier to meet all of the guys.”

“Were they nice?”

I shrugged. “Yeah,” I said. “They were fine. That’s not what I want to talk about, though.”

“Oh, want some pasta? I made tons, it’s still on the stove,” Rebecca said.

I sighed. “Becks, this is serious,” I said. “Please, don’t derail me.”

Rebecca frowned.

“Do you have feelings for me?” I asked gently, trying to keep my voice low and non-accusatory. “Please be honest.”

Rebecca burst out laughing. “Molly, no! Who put that idea in your head? Was it Alex? I’ll kill him,” she added, muttering under her breath.

“No,” I said shakily. “It wasn’t Alex, although he did tell me that he saw you go into a gay club. He followed you inside and saw you dancing with and kissing a woman. A woman who…” I trailed off nervously, biting my lip. “A woman who looked like me,” I finished softly.

Rebecca looked like I’d slapped her in the face.

“Rob told me,” I continued. “And Rebecca, it’s fine, really. I just wanted to say I’m sorry. I never noticed. I never picked up on the signals. And I’m straight,” I added quietly. “But it doesn’t bother me that you’re gay.”

Rebecca’s face turned from pale white to crimson red. “Molly,” she said slowly, shaking her head. “That’s crazy.”

I sighed. “Is it? You’ve been acting like a jealous witch ever since I started sleeping with your brother and I’m starting to wonder if you only suggested I sleep with him because you thought it would never happen.”

Rebecca’s expression changed. “I…” She trailed off and buried her face in her hands, bursting into tears. “Molly, I’m sorry,” she said. “I’m really sorry. I never meant for you to find out.”

I felt awkward as I sat there, staring at her bowl of pasta. “Its okay,” I said. “Everything’s going to be okay.”

Rebecca sobbed harder and harder, until her shoulders were shaking and the air was filled with the sound of her sucking wet snot back into her nose. She coughed and choked and gasped for air, sniffling and snuffling like she’d just been given the worst news of her life. I felt so guilty and sad as I just sat there, watching her cry.

“It’s okay,” I repeated. “Come here.” I stood up and held out my arms. Rebecca hesitated for a second, then got to her feet and dove into my embrace. I wrapped my arms around her and hugged her tightly. Rebecca clung to me. She buried her face in my neck and I felt the dampness of her snot and tears soaking the fabric of my robe.

“It’ll be okay,” I said again as I rubbed Rebecca’s back. She pulled away and looked deeply into my eyes, sighing. Just as I was about to step away, Rebecca closed her eyes and pressed her lips to mine.

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